WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.339 Please can you turn with me in your Bibles to Genesis chapter 1. 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:10.540 Just a reminder that if you want to scan the QR codes on the screens, 00:00:10.540 --> 00:00:15.640 ! You can pick up the sermon in different languages if that is helpful to you. 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:22.019 As we think together about God, our good creator, king. 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:24.600 But before we get to God's creation, 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:31.080 I imagine winter for many is a season where the jigsaw puzzles come out. 00:00:32.340 --> 00:00:40.160 My local charity shop makes a promise that every jigsaw that comes in second hand have no pieces missing. 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:44.200 And I'm yet to pull the trigger and trust them enough to actually buy one. 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:48.320 But picture with me just for a moment the frustration. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:53.020 If you were to go to a charity shop to pick up a new jigsaw this winter season 00:00:53.020 --> 00:01:00.120 and you open the box only to discover that some of those crucial edge pieces can't be found. 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:06.079 And now you recognize you've got no border and you've got no structure with which to work in. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:10.300 Or as you get on in the jigsaw, the pieces are jumbled up. 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:12.700 You thought you were making a beach scene, 00:01:13.240 --> 00:01:16.800 but you keep finding pieces of snowy mountains and it's a bit confusing. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:22.579 Or worse still, you open the box and as you turn over the pieces, 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:28.719 you discover that the picture in no way is going to match what's on the front of the box. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:31.280 You have no guide to put those pieces together. 00:01:33.939 --> 00:01:35.539 Do you know that's how some people feel about life? 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:41.019 Some people struggle to find purpose and structure. 00:01:41.019 --> 00:01:48.420 There are so many people who are not clear how to make sense of the various pieces of our lives. 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:56.799 There are many people who are muddling on day to day with no clear guide about the big picture. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:00.439 No answer to the big questions. 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:02.239 Why am I here? 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:03.519 Who am I? 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:04.719 Who made me? 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:06.500 Where is all this heading? 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:12.580 Genesis 1 helps to put the pieces together. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:17.400 We thought last week, in the beginning, God. 00:02:18.039 --> 00:02:19.379 That reveals the big picture. 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:24.259 That the world that we live in is a world made by an eternal creator. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:28.920 Now we're going to think some more about the fact that he made it with order and goodness. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:36.219 And next week especially, we'll recognize that we are made to relate to him in the world that he has made. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:46.699 So that to understand Genesis 1 to 3 is to find the picture to help give shape and structure and sense to our lives. 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:56.060 So this week what we're going to do is we're going to look at days 1, well not all of day 6, day 1 to 6a of Creation Week. 00:02:56.119 --> 00:02:58.859 As I said at the beginning, we're going to leave it on a cliffhanger. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:04.199 We're going to spend all of next week thinking about what does it mean that we are made in the image of God. 00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:10.280 If you know people with questions about image and identity, next week would be a great week to bring someone to church. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:19.800 But this week what we're going to see is that God's creation displays his order, it displays his goodness, and it displays the fact that he is the king who rules. 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:23.280 And it does that for a very particular purpose. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:27.319 So that you and I would worship him. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:33.699 So let's think about the goodness of God's order within creation. 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:40.280 So just a little word about the writing style of Genesis 1 from verse 3 to verse 31. 00:03:41.179 --> 00:03:44.239 Scholars call it exalted prose. 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:48.459 Now that's important because two things become clear. 00:03:48.859 --> 00:03:55.139 It is making true claims about the world that we live in, but it's using language for a particular purpose. 00:03:55.139 --> 00:04:09.959 It's wanting to invite in us as readers and hearers a sense of reflecting and wonder and worship towards this creator God. 00:04:10.779 --> 00:04:16.060 And one way that the language does that is through the order that we find within chapter 1. 00:04:16.159 --> 00:04:18.319 There is order, first of all, in the structures. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:26.219 Maybe we are familiar with this, the big picture of days of forming and days of filling. 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:31.139 So days 1 to 3 we find the forming of light and dark. 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:34.879 Then day 2, the sea and the sky. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:39.719 And then day 3, there's the land and the plants that are formed. 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:45.699 And then on days 4 to 6, there's filling. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:50.259 That's when we discover the sun, the moon and the stars. 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:52.939 Then day 5, the fish and the birds. 00:04:53.339 --> 00:04:56.939 And then on day 6, animals and people. 00:04:57.099 --> 00:04:58.420 And we'll get there next time. 00:04:59.339 --> 00:05:01.740 So we're presented with here are three locations. 00:05:02.919 --> 00:05:07.620 And here is God providing inhabitants for each of those locations. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:09.919 There is a clear order. 00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:11.560 And that's important. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:16.780 The order is further emphasized, isn't it, in the repeating patterns. 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:21.240 You would have heard them as Sarah read the Bible for us. 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:23.160 Look at day 1 with me. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:26.160 Just day 1 is a great example because it's got all the patterns. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:27.540 Verses 3 to 5. 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:30.139 So look at how the verse begins. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:33.500 And God said, let there be. 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:35.079 In this case, let there be light. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:38.459 So a command is announced from the king. 00:05:38.459 --> 00:05:44.639 And immediately we discover, and there was light. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:48.959 What God commands happens. 00:05:49.739 --> 00:05:52.319 God brings things into existence. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:56.560 And there is perfect, immediate fulfillment. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:05:59.779 There is no struggle when God creates. 00:06:00.979 --> 00:06:03.299 The next pattern, verse 4. 00:06:03.299 --> 00:06:07.099 God saw that the light, it was good. 00:06:08.459 --> 00:06:09.339 And we're going to come back to that. 00:06:09.419 --> 00:06:12.239 But here's this idea of, here is God the artist. 00:06:12.959 --> 00:06:14.919 Just for a moment, stepping back. 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:20.159 To admire the masterpiece that he is in the process of creating. 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:23.439 Another pattern we find in verse 4. 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:27.019 He separated the light from the darkness. 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:30.699 And this reminds us that the world that we live in is not chaotic. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:34.079 That God created and set limits. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:36.699 That's part of the order he establishes. 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:40.060 You know, the sea can go here, but no further. 00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:43.800 Because there is the limit of the land so that people can live on the land. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:45.699 Verse 5. 00:06:45.979 --> 00:06:46.979 There was another pattern. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:51.719 God called the light day and the darkness he called night. 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:55.819 And again, to name something was a sign of authority over something. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:57.919 This is a kingship term. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:07:07.780 God has rights over it. 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:11.620 And then that closing rhythmic pattern. 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:14.100 And there was evening and there was morning. 00:07:14.780 --> 00:07:16.939 The first day, the second day and so on. 00:07:17.200 --> 00:07:19.160 The division of time into days. 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:22.360 And again, we're presented with a picture of God. 00:07:22.640 --> 00:07:24.120 The workman, the craftsman. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:25.740 Six days he will work. 00:07:25.820 --> 00:07:27.580 On day seven, he will rest. 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:29.880 That pattern then given to us. 00:07:29.960 --> 00:07:32.820 And we'll think about that in a couple of weeks when we get to Sabbath. 00:07:33.840 --> 00:07:37.520 All these repeating patterns we find within Genesis 1 are saying to us, 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:45.399 our world was made by God with order, not chaos that is careful planning, that is absolute control. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:52.459 Here's another way in which we see the goodness of God's order. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:56.259 It's in the species that are mentioned. 00:07:56.479 --> 00:08:00.039 Now, of course, Genesis 1 is not a science textbook. 00:08:00.159 --> 00:08:02.299 It's not claiming to be a science textbook. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:09.620 When the first hearers were listening to Moses, the questions that they were asking about the world 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:12.480 were not the same questions that we ask in the 21st century. 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:17.960 You know, maybe we ask questions about the age of the earth or the time periods of each day. 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:21.340 That wasn't the principal concern of the Israelites. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:23.560 They wanted to know who is the true God? 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:25.420 Where did all this come from? 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:27.300 And Genesis 1 helps with that. 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:35.360 But there's also elements of the beginnings of science within Genesis 1. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:39.799 And it is significant, if you're ever interested, to read the history of science. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:44.940 You'll understand that the history of science in large part began with Christians 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:49.960 because they read passages like Genesis 1 and they understand certain principles. 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:58.000 that if God made the world with order, then we can expect order and coherence within the world. 00:08:58.040 --> 00:08:59.240 So we can do science. 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:01.360 We can expect to find patterns. 00:09:03.420 --> 00:09:09.160 But it's interesting to see in Genesis 1, isn't it, the classification systems that emerge here. 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:11.660 For those of us who are interested in botany, 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:12.939 God said, 00:09:12.939 --> 00:09:23.500 God doesn't just make one kind of tree or plant. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.399 There is a multitude. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:25.360 There's diversity. 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:27.360 And that's part of the beauty, isn't it? 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:30.240 He does the same with marine biology. 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:31.699 In verse 21, 00:09:31.939 --> 00:09:36.439 God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems. 00:09:37.059 --> 00:09:39.159 He does the same with ornithology. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:42.299 Every winged bird according to its kind. 00:09:43.699 --> 00:09:45.699 And then for those who are studying veterinary, 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.199 there's zoology. 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:50.100 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, 00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:52.639 the livestock according to their kinds, 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:57.199 and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. 00:09:59.059 --> 00:10:02.439 And for the Israelites, and for us as well, 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:04.699 we understand certain things. 00:10:05.459 --> 00:10:08.639 When we plant a particular crop, we plant some wheat. 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:11.579 And we know that if the conditions are right, 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:14.120 it's going to grow and produce more wheat. 00:10:14.219 --> 00:10:15.219 If we keep cows, 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:18.039 if there are male and female cows, 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:20.219 baby cows will be produced. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.360 So there is order, 00:10:21.819 --> 00:10:22.299 there is predictability, 00:10:23.199 --> 00:10:24.299 there is diversity, 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:28.779 there is beauty within God's created universe. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:31.939 What is it telling us? 00:10:33.539 --> 00:10:35.579 It's teaching us things about our world, 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:39.439 but I think fundamentally it's teaching us about our creator. 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:44.179 We are not here as the products of random chance. 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:47.480 We are here because there is a God of power, 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.319 and organization, 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.100 and wisdom, 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:51.959 and beauty, 00:10:51.959 --> 00:10:52.720 and goodness. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:57.100 The picture of creation in the beginning 00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:59.080 was one of peace, 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:00.639 and harmony, 00:11:01.300 --> 00:11:02.139 and beauty, 00:11:02.680 --> 00:11:04.259 and clear order, 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:08.000 and all of it directed by and dependent on God. 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:10.759 We sang a little bit of Psalm 104. 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:14.060 Psalm 104 has 34 verses 00:11:14.060 --> 00:11:17.519 celebrating the world's a wonderful place, 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.360 God made it, 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:18.899 and it's beautiful, 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.480 and it's good. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:23.399 But it concludes with verse 35, 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:27.059 which begins to get us to the problem 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:29.960 of why we don't always see order and beauty in our world. 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:33.319 Because it introduces those who are wicked, 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.500 those who reject God, 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.899 those who turn their back on God's grace, 00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:40.419 and that's where disorder comes from. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:45.100 That's where the scarring in the universe comes from. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:48.040 And we'll discover as we get through 00:11:48.040 --> 00:11:49.659 the opening chapters of Genesis 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:51.460 that human beings, 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.800 made in the image of God, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:54.060 made with free will, 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.480 freely chose to rebel, 00:11:57.340 --> 00:12:00.940 freely chose to depart from God's created order, 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:05.879 not content to enjoy life under His good rule. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.920 And that's what the Bible calls sin. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:12.379 And sin is what stains God's masterpiece. 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:15.840 And sin is the reason why we don't always see 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.399 order and peace in our world and in our hearts. 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:22.360 But just to say this also, 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.559 how does that, 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:25.240 when we think about the whole story of the Bible, 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:28.220 how does the good news of the Bible offer hope 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:30.399 when we see that kind of chaos and disorder 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.100 in our world and in our hearts? 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:34.879 It gives us hope as we understand 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:38.419 that God knew from eternity past. 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:41.759 The same God who planned the galaxies 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:45.019 is the same God who planned 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:47.199 for the cross of the Lord Jesus. 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:49.879 He planned that His Son, 00:12:50.339 --> 00:12:51.659 the Lord Jesus, would come, 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:53.219 the perfect image bearer, 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:55.379 the only one who would ever live 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:57.899 a perfectly ordered life, 00:12:58.500 --> 00:13:00.500 surrounded by the chaos of sin. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:02.120 Jesus always loved, 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.399 always obeyed, 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:05.219 always sought the glory of God. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.819 That's what we were made to do, 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.579 but we don't. 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:09.360 And in His death, 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.720 there is forgiveness, 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:13.800 that the stain of sin is removed 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:15.240 with the promise 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.980 that as Jesus rose and returned to heaven, 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:19.340 He will return one day. 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.840 And at His return, 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.040 this world will be restored 00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:26.080 to perfect, eternal peace, 00:13:26.540 --> 00:13:27.800 order, and harmony. 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:30.800 No more of the fighting that we see, 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:32.100 no more of the brutality 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.700 that troubles us, 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.840 no more anxious hearts, 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:36.720 no more guilty consciences. 00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:41.620 So as we search for order 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:44.580 and peace and harmony 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.879 in our life or in our heart, 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.680 the Bible will say to us, 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:51.860 God says to us, 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.820 you need to know me. 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:56.500 You need to come to me 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.700 through my Son, Jesus. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.940 You need to place your faith in Jesus 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:03.760 to find your longings made, 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:06.440 to find Him as Lord and Savior. 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.660 Well, that's the order. 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:14.620 But let's think about another theme 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:17.360 that clearly emerges from Genesis 1, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.740 and it's the idea of the goodness of God 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:23.300 that we find in His world. 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:27.259 I was out on Brunsfield links early this week, 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:30.000 and I got talking with a neighbor, 00:14:30.719 --> 00:14:31.839 and he, like me, 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:34.599 was standing admiring the view. 00:14:35.579 --> 00:14:36.899 There was Arthur's seat, 00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:38.819 the sun was shining, 00:14:38.979 --> 00:14:40.579 the trees were kind of dappled 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:41.919 in different colors of light, 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:44.639 there was a beautiful clear blue sky, 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:48.100 and it was one of those moments of awe. 00:14:49.319 --> 00:14:50.179 Psalm 19, 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:52.720 the heavens declare the glory of God, 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:55.439 and the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:57.519 If you saw pictures of the Rora Borealis, 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:59.019 or if you got to see them with your own eyes, 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.679 we know this is true. 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:04.519 What are we supposed to do 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:06.980 when we see goodness in the world? 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:09.480 Now, we know something of this 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.539 as a natural instinct. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:12.720 When we hear great music, 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:16.440 we are drawn to praise 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:18.399 the composer and the performer. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.160 When we eat a great meal, 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:22.500 we are drawn to praise 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.940 the cook or the chef. 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:26.920 Genesis 1 is designed 00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:29.220 to help those first Israelites 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:31.340 and us today to understand 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:34.480 who is it that we should praise 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.300 for the beauty that we see all around us, 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:37.360 whether that's in the world 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.660 on a grand scale, 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.960 or whether it's just as we see 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.680 something beautiful 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:41.980 in the people around us. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:45.519 I came across this 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.899 from Thomas Aquinas 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:50.500 as he was reflecting on creation. 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:51.820 I appreciate this. 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.120 He said, 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:53.940 God brought things into being 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.820 in order that His goodness 00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:57.540 might be communicated to creatures 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:59.899 and be represented by them. 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.800 And because His goodness 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.879 could not be adequately represented 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.440 by one creature alone, 00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:07.300 He produces many 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:09.279 and diverse creatures. 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:11.540 God wants us to look around 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:13.179 with eyes to see His goodness 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:14.480 in the world that He has made. 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.219 So we're going to consider, 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:17.120 just for a few moments, 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:19.980 the implications of the repeating phrase, 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:22.219 it was good. 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:25.939 We hear it again and again. 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:28.399 God creates 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:31.099 and God declares it is good. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.759 The first thing it says to us 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.639 is that God created the world 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.379 with beauty 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:38.039 and with care. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.480 Maybe we know something 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.299 of this 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:43.500 making satisfaction. 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.819 Do you ever step back 00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:45.960 from a piece of work 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.199 and you say, 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.019 that's good. 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.679 If like me, 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.679 you really know 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:54.080 very little about DIY, 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.100 you might even get 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.199 that kind of satisfaction 00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:57.639 when you put in a light bulb 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:59.100 and you switch the light on 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.700 and it comes on, 00:16:59.740 --> 00:16:59.919 you think, 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.600 that's good. 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:02.879 Maybe you agonize 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.779 over a piece of work, 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:04.900 you finish an assignment 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.339 and you're happy with it. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.339 You turn in, 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:07.579 you think, 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.079 that's a good piece of work. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.759 You're playing some music, 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:14.059 you're playing on the sports field 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.339 and everything just seems 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:17.119 to go well. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.579 You can reflect 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.619 and say in a moment 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.279 or afterwards, 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:20.819 hey, 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:21.559 that was good. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.660 That's what God does 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.960 in the essential, 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.900 ultimate way. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.339 God did not throw 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.500 the world together 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.599 in a haphazard way. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.220 Where I come from, 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:35.940 we have a saying, 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:38.259 it's good enough for sky. 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:40.279 Which basically means, 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.200 it's not wonderful, 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.140 but it's alright. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.880 And that's kind of 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.839 the attitude 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:46.200 from where I came from. 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.960 But that's not 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:49.500 how God creates. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.660 That's never 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:51.599 how God creates. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.279 Think about the attention 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.220 that God gives 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.180 to the details 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:58.640 of each individual snowflake. 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:00.440 the diversity 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:02.080 of plant or animal life. 00:18:03.040 --> 00:18:04.400 Or those great visions 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.160 of his beauty 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:06.820 if you saw the aurora 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:08.680 or you look at Arthur's seat. 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:11.640 God looks at all of that 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.300 and he says, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.360 that's good. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.720 Because he created 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.160 with beauty and care. 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:18.580 And unlike our works, 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:20.680 there is never a moment 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.820 where God is frustrated, 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.060 where God has to rip it up 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:23.820 and try again. 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:25.080 There are no failures 00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:25.900 or plan B's. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.800 When God creates, 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.180 he creates good 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.899 and only good. 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:31.619 Something else 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.259 that's important 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:34.019 is that God was pleased 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.039 with his creation. 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:36.519 I don't know 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.000 if that's something 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.859 that we reflect on. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.339 That when God looks 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.419 at his world, 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.399 it's not like, 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.680 perhaps, 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:47.379 your childhood report cards 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:48.960 or your report 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.759 from your teacher. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.440 Do you know 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.539 what you could do better? 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:53.740 Or if you have 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:55.139 that sense of frustration 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.599 between, 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.159 in my head, 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.539 I know exactly 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.680 what I want to create 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.299 or produce, 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:01.920 but when I come to do it, 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.519 it never quite looks 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.319 as good as the image 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.000 that I have. 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.579 You know that frustration 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.359 of the gap? 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.720 God has no frustration. 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:11.200 His perfect mind 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:13.639 creates a perfect world. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.740 And God is perfectly 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.019 pleased with his creation 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.899 because it reflects 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.480 his wisdom 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.579 and his goodness. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:21.740 And that's the third thing 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.480 that's so important 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.879 for us to see 00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:25.399 and to grasp practically 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:27.679 is that something of God 00:19:27.679 --> 00:19:30.059 is reflected in his creation. 00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:31.099 Not all of God, 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:33.419 but something of God. 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.939 Manly Hopkins, 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:36.720 the poet, 00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.559 had that great line, 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:40.179 the earth is charged 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:42.699 with the grandeur of God. 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:45.000 The earth pulses 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.199 and vibrates 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:46.980 with the grandeur 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.059 and glory of God. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:50.419 And we can see something 00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:52.039 of his creativity, 00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:53.579 of his order, 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.399 of his beauty 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.720 all around us in the world. 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.720 God is the source 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.679 of all goodness. 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.940 We can trace 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.839 his fingerprints 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.859 in every good gift, 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.399 in every good 00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:05.039 of this creation. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.539 Now, why is it important 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:09.980 that God highlights 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.519 his goodness 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.500 in Genesis 1? 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:14.559 First of all, 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.920 it helps to cultivate 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:18.119 a sense of thankfulness 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.880 that leads to worship. 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.039 Now, that can happen 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.700 in many ways 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.579 depending how we look 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:23.940 at the world. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.079 We can think big scale. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.319 You know, 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:28.000 the Goldilocks effect 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.740 of the universe, 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.779 the fine-tuning 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.480 of the universe 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:31.980 where everything 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.299 is just right 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.680 for human life 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.319 and flourishing. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.920 Now, that might be 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.579 what leads us 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:38.579 to thankfulness 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.039 and worship. 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:40.839 Or it might just be 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.519 the goodness 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.559 of a good cup of coffee 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.599 or a really nice breakfast 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:45.680 or the gift of family, 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:47.000 everyday life. 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.019 Every good gift 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.480 comes from our good God. 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:52.119 And even though 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.000 we recognize 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.680 that our world 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.799 is now fallen, 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.119 that there is a measure 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.079 of brokenness, 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.759 it still retains 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:01.700 aspects, 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:03.259 wonderful aspects 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.039 of the glory 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.180 and the goodness 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.379 of God. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:08.279 More than enough 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.339 to draw our hearts 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.139 towards Him. 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.399 More than enough 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:13.139 to see His eternal power 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:15.720 and His divine nature. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.460 And so the world 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.379 is designed 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:22.500 to help us 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.639 to worship, 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:26.960 to live in God's world 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:29.359 without thanking Him 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.259 for His gifts, 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.180 without recognizing Him 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.819 as Creator. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:34.399 it is to play 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.480 the spoiled child 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:37.139 who never says 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:37.740 thank you 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.220 for any gift. 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:42.119 But I think 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.759 it's also important 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.759 that the goodness 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.419 of creation 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.000 is highlighted 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.099 because it helps us 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.039 to get our attitude 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.319 towards creation 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:49.419 right. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.059 Because it says to us 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.220 this world 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.799 is good. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.079 This world 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.179 matters. 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:59.259 But it also says to us 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.879 this world 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:01.640 is not God. 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.940 And that's important 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.800 again for worship. 00:22:06.280 --> 00:22:07.060 Because the Bible 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:07.780 is really clear 00:22:07.780 --> 00:22:08.300 to worship 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:09.820 created things 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.680 rather than 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.500 the Creator. 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.940 Well that's idolatry. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.740 And that's what goes 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.620 against the grain 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:17.220 of the universe 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.780 and that goes 00:22:17.780 --> 00:22:18.500 against the grain 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.080 of why we were created. 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:22.300 So we should 00:22:22.300 --> 00:22:23.400 go bodily 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.360 creation. 00:22:25.800 --> 00:22:26.820 But we shouldn't 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.280 worship it 00:22:27.280 --> 00:22:27.500 and think 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.200 well this is it. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:31.160 we recognize 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:31.779 that God 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.519 looked at the world 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.000 that he made 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.539 and he saw it 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:33.940 as good 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.819 and very good 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:36.480 and at our best. 00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:38.519 So should we. 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.660 And so we should 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.160 expect 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:42.140 and be looking 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.720 for 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.900 beauty 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.480 that takes 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.340 our breath away 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:47.500 and other people 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.799 who inspire us 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.480 profoundly. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.680 But in those 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.200 moments 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.840 we want to be 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.620 so careful 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:53.819 to keep turning 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.620 to give thanks 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.100 and worship 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:55.779 to the God 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:57.160 who made it all. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.960 the God 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.720 who enables us 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.360 to get even 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:01.460 faint outlines 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.860 of his goodness 00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:03.420 and glory 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.480 within his creation 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:07.180 and to recognize 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.039 as we heard 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.740 from 2 Corinthians 4 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.940 that God's goodness 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:13.380 was made visible 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:14.539 in a profound way 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:16.759 when Jesus came 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.680 revealing the light 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.700 of God's truth 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.840 and love 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:22.279 and salvation 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:24.160 drawing our hearts 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.279 to him. 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:27.980 Well one last thing 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.480 to say 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.240 briefly 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.139 and that's about 00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:31.240 the kingship 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.339 and the rule 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:32.720 of God 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.259 that we find 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.299 here in Genesis 1. 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.200 Let me take you back 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.460 we were here last week 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:39.200 to the first people 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.899 that ever heard 00:23:39.899 --> 00:23:40.700 this message. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.359 They are in 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.160 the wilderness 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.399 they're in the desert 00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:44.420 they're at 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:46.319 the door 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.440 of their tents 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:49.319 here they are 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.379 little family groups 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.299 and they're listening 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:53.220 as Moses begins 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.079 to teach 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.159 Genesis 1. 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.139 Recently 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:59.480 their family story 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.839 for 400 years 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.700 has been 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:03.200 of being slaves 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:04.859 in a foreign country 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.359 in Egypt 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:08.099 and when they hear 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:09.200 the creation stories 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.799 of Egypt 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.919 they hear about 00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:11.740 lots and lots 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.279 of local tribal gods 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.460 and they hear about 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.259 lots of fighting 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.139 between gods 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:16.599 and actually 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.259 they hear about 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.079 lazy gods 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.539 who decided 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.220 they didn't want 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.960 to work anymore 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.980 and that's why 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.920 people were made. 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.620 So that was 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.779 the creation stories 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.920 that they were hearing 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:28.819 and if you hear 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.860 that for long enough 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.279 we wouldn't be surprised 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.799 to find that 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.779 the jigsaw pieces 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.819 became all a jumble 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:37.700 and then Genesis 1 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:39.019 is heard 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:41.640 a gift from God 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:43.200 to bring order 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:45.160 to present 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:46.039 a beautiful 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.460 and good picture 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.440 of the world 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.759 that God has made 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.619 and a picture 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.240 of God 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.039 as the one 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.960 and only God 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.759 and the one 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.740 true king 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.200 so that 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.140 the one 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.640 that had called 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.519 them out of slavery 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.400 is the one 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:00.799 that they would 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.339 gladly follow 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.359 obey 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.599 love 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.759 and worship. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.299 And you know 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:08.940 those desires 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.559 are the same 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.240 from God 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.720 for each one 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.339 of us today. 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.579 And so 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.740 in the language 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.559 of Genesis 1 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.400 we are reminded 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.220 of the king 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.100 who creates. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.600 And so we mentioned 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.460 this in the pattern 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.380 let there be 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:22.980 verse 3 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.560 let there be light 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:26.120 or verse 9 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.140 let the water 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.180 under the sky 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.940 be gathered 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.880 into one place. 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:31.100 This is the king 00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:31.720 who speaks 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.960 and his word of power 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.800 is effective. 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.420 There is no authority 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.140 that stands 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.920 against him. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.620 His commands 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.400 are always followed. 00:25:39.280 --> 00:25:40.300 There is no disorder, 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.280 there is no struggle, 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.140 there is no fighting 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:42.940 against his will. 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.820 It's absolute 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.480 because he is the king 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.019 and he is the king 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.680 who creates. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.759 And we said it as well 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.299 in the order 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.940 he is the king 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.420 who names. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.380 God called 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:54.000 the light day 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.519 and he called 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.720 the dark night. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.500 Verse 8 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.240 God called 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.860 the vault sky. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.200 For those of us 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.680 who are interested 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.259 in football 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.880 a recent phenomenon 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.360 I guess 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.620 to generate more money 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:09.079 creative naming rights 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.220 over a stadium. 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.839 you know 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.460 a wealthy 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:13.200 organization 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:15.000 can pay enough money 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.279 and then they get to 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.480 change the name 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.120 of the stadium 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.839 as a way to 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:20.279 advertise their brand 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.940 naming rights. 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:24.100 The wonderful truth 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.839 about the universe 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.839 is that the whole universe 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:29.140 is advertising to us 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:30.839 a single reality 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:32.160 that God 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:33.559 is good 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:35.400 that he is eternal 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:37.200 that he is the creator 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.860 and he is the king. 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.140 He is the one 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.600 who names 00:26:41.600 --> 00:26:42.299 because he is the one 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.759 who has rights 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.339 over it all. 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.640 And then finally 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:47.640 the king also 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:50.339 is proclaiming 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:52.740 a really important truth. 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.960 Let me take you back 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.140 to day 4 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:57.160 verses 14 to 19. 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:59.140 So remember 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.839 this is a group 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.360 who have just been 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:01.720 saved from slavery 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:03.440 and multiple idols. 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.700 They are going to hear 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.380 in the commandments 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.039 you know 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:07.039 I am God 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.819 there is no other 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.960 worship the Lord 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.360 your God 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.059 serve him only 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.039 don't create idols. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.059 Let me take you back 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:14.159 to day 4. 00:27:14.979 --> 00:27:15.859 Lots of detail 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.699 in day 4. 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:17.579 I don't know 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.299 if you've ever wondered 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.259 about the details. 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.819 Why does it get 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.659 so much attention? 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.619 Well back in Egypt 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:24.719 who were people 00:27:24.719 --> 00:27:25.240 worshipping? 00:27:25.979 --> 00:27:26.740 They were worshipping 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.899 the sun god 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:29.099 called Ra 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:30.459 and Pharaoh 00:27:30.459 --> 00:27:31.439 who claimed 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.219 to be the son 00:27:32.219 --> 00:27:34.199 of the sun god. 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.659 And in Egypt 00:27:35.659 --> 00:27:37.039 they were fascinated 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.159 by the stars. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.180 this is what controls 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.700 our fate 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.640 this is what controls 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.500 our destiny. 00:27:43.300 --> 00:27:44.560 And so Genesis 1 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:46.100 is a response 00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:47.140 and an answer 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:48.779 to that. 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:50.140 It puts them 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:52.060 in their proper place. 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:54.060 Look at verse 16. 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:55.080 How are they described 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:56.580 the sun and the moon? 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:58.940 They're just the greater light 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:01.180 and the lesser light. 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.160 Worship doesn't belong 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.759 to them. 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.759 It is their creator 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:07.140 who deserves praise. 00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:09.640 Notice their purpose. 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.740 Verse 14. 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.279 These lights 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.420 are to serve 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.420 as signs 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:16.099 to mark sacred times 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.799 and days and years. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:18.140 They serve the purpose 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:19.140 of people 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:20.619 and so that people 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.299 would know 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.259 when it's right 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.819 to worship God. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.900 Not worship 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.779 the sun and the moon. 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:27.940 And then there's 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:29.180 the greatest throwaway line 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.460 perhaps in the whole Bible. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.960 End of verse 16. 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:34.120 He also made the stars. 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:36.120 Those billions of galaxies 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:37.420 and constellations 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:39.640 that evoke so much wonder. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.819 God made them. 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.100 So don't worship them. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.980 Our fate 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.960 isn't written in the stars. 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:50.500 Our times are in God's hands. 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.440 And that's profoundly 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:53.400 good news. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.960 Why do we need 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.539 to remember 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.960 the kingship of God 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:00.440 over creation? 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:03.140 Sometimes it's because 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:04.720 the world seems so chaotic 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:06.039 and we need to return 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.039 to that great truth. 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.779 I was drawn to 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.900 Acts 14 00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:11.759 when Paul's on 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.820 his missionary journey. 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.519 He speaks about 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.840 the God of goodness 00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:17.320 giving creation 00:29:17.320 --> 00:29:18.740 to stand as a witness 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.660 to him 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:21.299 in the seasons 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.100 that we have, 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.799 in the food 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.740 we get to eat, 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.860 in the life 00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:25.920 that we enjoy. 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.360 And that should make us 00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:28.299 want to know 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.200 and enjoy 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.180 the one who rules 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.299 over it all. 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.000 And again, 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.839 it takes us into 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.519 the wonder 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:38.460 of the Bible story 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.240 of salvation. 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:41.279 Because who is Jesus? 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.139 He is God. 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.879 He is the Son. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.579 He was the agent 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.240 of creation. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.639 And he's also the King 00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:47.419 who enters into 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:48.119 his creation. 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:49.960 Jesus who came 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.419 on a mission 00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:51.559 to reveal the glory 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.079 of God, 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.619 to seek and to save 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.500 those who are lost 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.200 in the darkness 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.860 of sin. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.660 The King who rules 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.160 in heaven 00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:00.080 and calls us today 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:01.340 to trust him, 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.220 to enjoy him, 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.960 to love him, 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.840 to worship him, 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.680 to find peace 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.660 and order 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.720 when our life 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.920 is in right relationship 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:09.259 with our God. 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.819 And Genesis 1 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.660 reminds us 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.000 if we want to fit 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.039 the puzzle pieces 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.039 of our life 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.980 into place 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:18.400 to know who we are, 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.240 why we're here, 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.980 where this life 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.460 is heading, 00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:22.140 we need first 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:23.740 to know our God. 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.059 And we come 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:27.160 to know our God 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:28.819 through Jesus, 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.480 his Son, 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.779 to know God, 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.960 our good Creator King.